Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward left Tuesday's game with a shoulder injury and will have an MRI on Thursday, according to the AJC.
Heyward was taken out of the game in the eighth inning with what he called numbness in his hand, which was the result of a shoulder injury he has been hiding since Spring Training. After the game, Heyward said the numbness had spread to his forearm.
"It’s been bothering me pretty good since spring training, and I’ve been playing through it, obviously," said Heyward, who went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts to make him 2-for-28 with 13 strikeouts in May.
"Right now I’d say it’s starting to come up my forearm a little bit more, the numbness. The doctor is going to look at me before I go home, and I’m going to get an MRI on my shoulder Thursday."
Fredi Gonzalez said he would most definitely get the day off on Wednesday and make a decision Thursday following the MRI. If this has been bothering him since spring, I don't see how a few days off will change anything. I wouldn't be surprised if a disabled list stint is in the cards.
This explains Heyward's struggles so far this season. He is hitting .226/.329/.444 with seven home runs and 14 RBIs, including a .342 wOBA and 115 wRC+. He's 2-28 with just one extra base hit in the month of May.
The most entertaining part of this news? Another case of zero communication between Heyward and the coaching staff when it comes to an injury. I guess he likes to keep these very important things to himself.
Gonzalez:
"Yeah, it’s been bothering him seven, 10 days? It just got too bad there that last inning."
Heyward:
"It’s been bothering me pretty good since spring training, and I’ve been playing through it, obviously."